More About Humidors & Maintaining Humidity Levels

With first use of crystals it is necessary to first calculate the amount of crystals to use.
(Rather in a dish, pillow mesh bags etc. has no effect on calculations)

To find the cubic inch size of your humidor is easy. 
Measure (in inches) the storage area (inside area) of your humidor. 

Using the formula: Width x Length x Height (don't forget to count the area in the cover) =  ??/540.   
Calculated cubic area, divided by 540 = minimum ounces of dry crystals granules that is needed. 
 

First soak the dry crystal granules in water for 1 minute. 
The crystals will not fully hydrate in this short time. 
Place crystals in humidor and allow 48 hours for the humidity levels to level out. 
A humidity level for most cigars is around 65%. 

To raise the humidity level means the crystals need more moisture added to them. 
Using distilled water lightly mist the crystals (avoiding misting the cigars).
check after 24-48 hours, and repeat until 65% humidity level is reached.

Only soaking the crystals at the start for only a short time prevents them from reaching their maximum absorption amount, they will release moisture, increasing humidity within the humidor.  When opening the humidor case in an area that has a higher humidity level then 65% (such as on a rain day), once the humidor is closed the crystals are not completely hydrated to their maximum.  They immediately start absorbing this excess moisture and restoring the humidor back to the proper humidity level.

Anytime the humidor humidity level falls below the 65% level repeat the misting with distilled water to raise the humidity level back up. 

After awhile the humidor case with cigars will settle at the 65% level.  Once everything is level, your repeated misting will rarely be necessary.
 

While 65% is our recommend humidity level for cigars, you can set your own preferred level by adding distilled water until the higher humidity level is reached.
To lower the humidity (drier) just sprinkle pinches of dry crystal granules among the wet granules.  The dry crystals will absorb some of the humidity and slightly lower the humidity.  Remember to allow several days for the case and cigars to adjust to the change.